A Christmas Gift

Yuletide Creek #2

by Kimberly Thomas

Christmas— It’s the most wonderful time of the year… except it’s not. Not for Nicole at least.

A desperate call from her estranged mother takes Nicole to her childhood home of Yuletide Creek, a place she hasn’t been to in over twenty years.

She remembers that the quaint little town transformed into a winter wonderland, the annual tree lighting in the town square and the towns’ folks baking up a storm for the gingerbread and cookie contests among other activities hosted at the Christmas House. But she also remembers the reason she left and never came back.

Surprised at how decrepit and forlorn the old coastal town appears now, she wonders about its future and is convinced her mother should sell the antique shop and retire.

What Nicole didn’t anticipate was the handsome gentleman working for her mother challenging her ideologies of the yuletide season, or the time spent obsessing over the old root cellar hatch in the store that won’t budge and an old jewelry box that belongs in the trash.

When her mother’s store is broken into it’s up to Nicole to find out if the mysterious developer snooping around town had anything to do with it or if her mother’s employee is truly who he says he is.

Is Nicole up to the challenge of finding the true meaning of Christmas in time to forge a path that leads to love, hope and forgiveness? Who knows?

Maybe Yuletide Creek is just the place to restore her joy.

Genres: Christmas

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2022

About the author

Kimberly Thomas has a passion for writing heartfelt stories that resonate with her readers. With two adult children and a loving husband, she understands the complexities of family dynamics and uses this knowledge to create relatable characters. When she's not writing, she loves to travel and explore new cultures. She finds inspiration in the people she meets and the places she visits, and often incorporates her experiences into her stories.

Kimberly specializes in feel-good women's fiction, clean and wholesome contemporary romance. Her stories focus on love, loss, and the everyday situations that families face. Her writing style is engaging and relatable, and she has a talent for drawing readers in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole goes back to the home where she grew up in Yuletide Creek after being away for over 20 years. Her estranged mother had called and asked her to help with the antique shop that she owned. Nicole wasn't really happy with her life so she agreed to return to help. Her college age daughter would join her and her mom over the holidays. When Nicole first arrives in town, she's dismayed to see the changes in the town. It's no longer the happy town all decorated for Christmas and she's convinced that there's no way her mother's shop can survive in this broken down town. As Ally from book 1 makes changes to the town and starts the Christmas festivities, Nicole begins to change her attitude toward her mother's shop and toward her mother.
When she starts spending time with the handsome man who works at the antique store, her feelings toward the town really begin to change but she's still a real Grinch and not interested in Christmas or finding happiness. Will the magic of this small town and the people who live there help her find the real magic of the holiday? Will she be able to find love, hope and forgiveness?

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chances

Great 2nd story in the Yuletide Creek series. It was interesting to have it happen in the same time frame as book 1, just from a different perspective.

Ally comes home at her mother's request to help take inventory at her antique store. Jake works at the antique store helping her mother and they stumble upon a bit of a mystery. They each come from a troubled romantic background but seem to hit it off, if only they can trust their instincts.

All in all a lighthearted holiday story.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our return to Yuletide Creek, we get to read Nicole and Jake’s story. Nicole has avoided coming home for many years, since she blames herself for her parent’s divorce. This year when her mom calls and invites her and her daughter, Stevie, she decides to go. She’s working a job where she’s not appreciated, so why not. Trisha, her mom, has an antique shop and she really needs some help with it. Jake, the only employee at the shop is easy on the eyes to boot. I won’t leave any spoilers, but I loved the mystery surrounding the hidden door found in the floor of the shop and want is revealed when they finally get it opened. Grab your copy of this fun holiday read and get ready to fall in love with these wonderful characters.

I received an advance reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A*R*C for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars

A Christmas Gift is book 2 in the Yuletide Creek series by Kimberly Thomas.

Nicole returns home after 20 years when she receives a call from her estranged mother. Mom needs help at her antique store, Nicole thinks she should sell but after working in the shop her opinions change along with meeting Jake. What happens next will keep you turning the pages…

Hidden door, antique box, Christmas season, mystery, healing the past and more…

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice edition to the Yuletide Christmas series. We meet Nicole who has had a hard life with her daughter Stevie. She has not celebrated Christmas in years - since she left home. She finds herself back in her hometown that loves the Christmas season. There is a guy but I like how the author didn’t shove their relationship in our face. It’s a sweet start to something. Nicole first has to figure out what she wants and come to terms with why she left in the first place. Add in a little mystery and some drama - it was a fun holiday book. Can’t wait for the next one!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good addition to this series.
We return to Yuletide Creek for Christmas. It’s the perfect location to spend the holiday.
Nicole hasn’t been home for Christmas in years. Her Mom finally talks her into coming this year. Plus she needs help with her antique store.
It’s a lovely story with some light romance
Thanks to the author for the early copy

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two of A Yuletide Creek series and the main character is Nicole, an x-ray technician in Seattle, who has ignored her mother Trisha’s requests to come home for Christmas for years. She left the small town of Yuletide Creek at eighteen, a year after she crashed her parent’s car and blamed that incident for the fact they divorced less than a year later. She has carried the guilt of beign the cause of her parent’s divorce for around twenty five years and has hated Christmas ever since, as it reminds her of that time. She married a musician Rudy, who her mum hated, only to end up pregnant two years in and he carried on touring and sleeping with groupies until she finally divorced him. Her daughter Stevie is at college and has agreed to come to town for the holidays as well. Nicole is hating her boss at the clinic in Seattle and basically gives her job up and comes back home, to help her mother with her antiques shop, which she is struggling to manage. She thinks her mother should sell the shop and retire and that is her aim as she returns home for the first time in over two decades.
Nothing much has changed in the small coastal town, with the Christmas House still holding most of the festive events, but some areas of town are looking their age. She doesn’t think there must be much call for an antique shop in the town and her mother has it jam packed with all sorts, most of which Nicole thinks will never sell. Where her mother gets it all from is a mystery! On an interesting note, there is a very handsome man called Jake, who works in the shop, but also helps Trisha out around the house and elsewhere. He also doesn’t love the festive period, but doesn’t quite hate it as much as Nicole seems to. Trisha keeps trying to get Nicole to take part in some of the small town’s Christmas celebrations in the run up to the holiday and also to set her up with Jake, who she thinks would be perfect for her. Nicole spends her time in the shop trying to get parts of it into some semblance of order, as nothing seems to have a location, nor a price or even a description, which some bizarre looking objects definitely need!
She comes across a broken musical jewellery box and takes it back into the office for herself. When Jake helps her move one of the pieces of furniture, they find a latch to a trapdoor, obviously leading to a space down below, but neither of them can get it open. It infuriates Nicole, who loves things nice and orderly and needs to know what is under the trapdoor! Shortly after they discover it, the shop is broken into and lots of damage caused by whoever smashed the window to get in. With all the stuff in the place, most of which her mother couldn’t list, it is difficult to figure out if anything was stolen or not. Nicole wonders whether it might be linked to the suit wearing Alan, who is a developer and asked her about buying her mother’s shop. Apparently he has been asking to buy up a number of shops in the area. What sort of development he might want to build is unknown and he rubs her up the wrong way from the first time she sees him and he plonks himself at her table as she tries to eat lunch. It seems Jake doesn’t like him either!
Sleazy Alan has been trying to force other businesses to sell up, using even more underhand methods as time goes on. Most of the town was rebuilt after what was called the Great Blaze, with a new town hall even needing to be built. With Alan hinting that Jake is in on the buying of all the shops and will get a huge commission, Nicole doesn’t know who to believe. He showed her evidence that she didn’t get much of a chance to examine, but it made her act oddly around Jake every day, as she made herself worry too much about what the truth actually was, rather than just go and talk to him. The broken old jewellery box and the trapdoor have a connection that none of them would have guessed and it will solve all the issues over land development and the pushy Alan. A nice tale of getting your Christmas spirit back and the joys of family time together. Nicole could have a new life back where she was once so happy and now with a man she could fall in love with. Another new addition to town, Dr Weaver, could be a new beginning for Nicole on the job front, as the clinic desperately needs more staff and she has the perfect skills for it. Christmas brings new friends, love, family back together and new beginnings in this clean romance set in a small town aptly named after the festive period. I received an ARC copy of this book form BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Stox4story · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stockings Filled with Love… and Coal

Yuletide Creek is a special place and outsiders know it. The town might be run down, and some would say dilapidated, but some big time developers know it’s real value. The question is, what will they stoop to in order to have the town? Can the shop owners and residents be forced out? Remember, It’s Christmas and miracles are about to happen, in more ways than one.

Let’s start with Nicole and Jake. Both have been hurt …. badly. Both need to heal. Hurt, betray al pain doesn’t have a time clock.

Yuletide Creek was Nicole’s home until she was driven away by guilt. After 24 years she finds herself ‘home’ again but not by choice. As for Jake, he moved to Yuletide after being left at the alter.

Then there’s Trisha, Nicole’s mother and master matchmaker. Hmmmm, she does her job so well that the matchmaking deck just may be coming her way. Her husband and Nicole’s dad left them 20 plus years ago and the aches and pains of age are setting in on Trisha. Time for her new beginning?

And yes, Christmas miracles rule the day but the things that bring about those miracles are what this story is really about. Not only is there love in the making, albeit that does require quite a bit of work, but we get to relive some good ol’ Nancy Drew type sleuthing. Of course, Nancy Drew always found a way and so does Nicole. Her curiosity, stubbornness, and nosiness saves the day for Yuletide Creek and its people

🤔 OBSERVATIONS and WONDERINGS

✒︎ We only get a tiny bit of background about Nicole’s ex husband, Rudy. I want to know more…. He would be of the age now that he begins to think back about his past actions, his choices to abandon his family, cheat on his wife, party with groupies. He will be in his 40s now, time to start reflecting. As with Mark in the first book, Rudy is referred to but that’s all. We get to know all the pain and hurt the men dish out but never see any consequences for their selfish choices. That goes for Nicole’s dad also.

Where are these men now? Any regrets? Any reflections? Any remorse or sorrow? Do they EVER have to look in the mirror? Did Rudy EVER try to talk, see or have any type of relationship with his daughter, Stevie.

✒︎ We can’t forget Stevie, Nicole’s mischievous daughter who is spending her college Christmas break with mom and grandma Trisha. Stevie really can be sneaky in a cute kind of way.

✒︎ Jake? Is he being set up or is he one of the culprits? Is he truly attracted to Nicole or is he using her for an ulterior motive? Was there any culpability on Allan’s part?

This is a standalone but it was good revisiting ‘friends’ we made in the first book of this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s nothing quite like returning to your hometown for the holidays and immediately questioning every life choice you’ve ever made. In A Christmas Gift, Nicole does exactly that when she heads back to Yuletide Creek after twenty years away, only to realize that Christmas spirit doesn’t erase unresolved family trauma. She left this town behind for a reason, but now she’s back, trying to save her estranged mother’s antique shop from financial ruin while also navigating a blizzard of emotions, regrets, and festive chaos. And, of course, because the universe has a sense of humor, there’s a man involved—Jake, the maddeningly charming employee who has apparently taken over the store and Nicole’s ability to think straight.

Jake is laid-back, effortlessly kind, and exactly the kind of person Nicole does not have time for—which means, obviously, she’s going to fall for him. Their dynamic is peak opposites attract: Nicole, still holding onto her Type-A, city-girl armor, and Jake, who seems completely unbothered by literally everything. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is undeniable, and every time Nicole insists she’s leaving town any day now, you can feel the small-town magic creeping in to say, Sure, Jan. Meanwhile, the town of Yuletide Creek is transforming from a neglected relic into a Christmas postcard, mirroring Nicole’s slow realization that maybe, just maybe, she’s been running from something she actually wants.

Kimberly Thomas delivers exactly what you want in a small-town Christmas romance—family tension that hits just enough without being too heavy, a romance that slow burns its way into your heart, and a setting that feels so cozy, you’ll want to pack up and move there immediately. Is it predictable? Absolutely. But that’s half the charm. If you love Hallmark-style romances but want them with a little more emotional depth, A Christmas Gift will wrap you up like a warm holiday sweater and refuse to let go. Four stars for the festive feels, the town full of meddling neighbors, and the reminder that sometimes, the best gifts aren’t under the tree—they’re the second chances you never saw coming.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in this series involves a look at the ancient history of the town.
"Christmas— It’s the most wonderful time of the year… except it’s not. Not for Nicole at least.
A desperate call from her estranged mother takes Nicole to her childhood home of Yuletide Creek, a place she hasn’t been to in over twenty years.
She remembers that the quaint little town transformed into a winter wonderland, the annual tree lighting in the town square and the towns’ folks baking up a storm for the gingerbread and cookie contests among other activities hosted at the Christmas House. But she also remembers the reason she left and never came back.
Surprised at how decrepit and forlorn the old coastal town appears now, she wonders about its future and is convinced her mother should sell the antique shop and retire.
What Nicole didn’t anticipate was the handsome gentleman working for her mother challenging her ideologies of the yuletide season, or the time spent obsessing over the old root cellar hatch in the store that won’t budge and an old jewelry box that belongs in the trash.
When her mother’s store is broken into it’s up to Nicole to find out if the mysterious developer snooping around town had anything to do with it or if her mother’s employee is truly who he says he is." synopsis copied

[Doris S. Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought tears to my eyes...

as I remembered Christmas as a child. I couldn't wait to open presents with my parents and my grandma. She had been up very early preparing the turkey for the oven, while I was checking what Santa had brought me. Then we were ready to open presents! After all the presents were opened, we got ready for church. Later in the afternoon to early evening we would sit down to a delicious Christmas dinner. Ms. Thomas brought back so many memories I wish I could go back and experience them once again. Thankfully we didn't have as much excitement happening as in Yuletide Creek, but I going shopping with my folks was something else I enjoyed, also seeing the stores all decorated made me feel so warm inside.
Read "A Christmas Gift" and you see what I mean!!!

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole left home after she crashed the family car and her parents split up. She blamed herself and didn't go back because of her guilt. Now her mother wants her and her adult daughter back for Christmas. Nicole reluctantly agrees and tries to sort out her Mother's chaotic antiques store. She meets Jake there and her organisational skills didn't fit well with his easy go lucky attitude. What is going to happen?

A pleasant read.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story runs alongside of the previous book, so it happens at the same time.

Trisha is home to help her mom with the store and intends on getting her to sell it. She certainly does not want to stay longer than she needs to she hates Christmas time.

Jake works for her mom helping in the store these two have a few misunderstandings but work it out.

It has a bit of drama and a surprise find of things that help the town. I loved the characters and story.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon Holroyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like small town romance and seasonal cheer, you will love this. I loved that the heroine was a more mature female who had her insecurities. This tale is set in a small town with lovely festive touches. Add in a nasty developer trying to buy out the town’s businesses, a hint of an age old mystery and of course romance, this book is perfect for Christmas. There is a cast of supporting characters who may get their own stories in the future.

Definitely a winner.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #2 in the Yuletide Creek series.

Nicole is far away from home and hasn't been back in years. When her mom calls for help with her antique shop, she finds herself back home in Yuletide Creek. Immediately she gets down to business helping in the shop, not interested at all in the season. After a series of events and meeting Jake, her mom's shop employee, Nicole warms up to Christmas time. After admitting to herself that her.job back home isn't one she loves, will she decide to stay in Yuletide? What does the future hold for her and Jake?

[Debbie Vetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, Clean Romance with a Surprise

You'll meet Trish (Mom and antique shop owner). Nicole (daughter and x-ray technician). Stevie (Nicole's daughter & College student). Nicole is going home for 1 week to try to talk Trish into selling the antique shop. Things take a big change after spending time in Yuletide Creek and the antique shop. Especially after finding the little box with the strange symbols on it. Yuletide Creek sounds like a great place that could even fill the Grinch with Christmas spirit. Great job. Thank you. On to Book 3. Merry Christmas!

[Rhonda Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole is not much into Christmas since she left home 20 some years ago. Now she is back to help her mom with her antique store. Will she find the spirit of Christmas again with the help of Jake from the store? Loved the small town atmosphere. You do get a little drama woth the land developers trying to buy up the town.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the A Yuletide Creek Series. This is Nicole and Jake's story with drama, a mystery, a land developer, coming home after twenty years away and romance. The story is beautifully written and it feels like you are there seeing things happen. I received a copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Nicole comes home to yuletide creek to see her mother for Christmas but ends up helping her in her antique store and meeting Jake. Will Nicole change her mind on Christmas after being back home?.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas— It’s the most wonderful time of the year… except it’s not. Not for Nicole at least.

A small town romance with a holiday setting makes for a great Christmas read. the characters are realistic making them easy to get to know. You'll definitely want to add this one to your holiday TBR list.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina Luberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole and Jake. Nicole comes home and just might find the meaning of Christmas. What will happen between her mother and her? What about Jake who she meets at the shop? Can Jake changer her mind about Christmas? Can she find happiness? Can she figure out who broke into the store?.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet holiday romance. A wonderful addition to an awesome series. I love the characters and the storyline is amazing. It had me hooked from the beginning. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommend reading this.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judith Seale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book

Nichole did not like Christmas. Her mom,Trisha, needed her help with the antique store in Yultide Creek. Getting there, it was full of the Christmas spirit. Nichole didn't know if she could handle that. This is a small part of this story. There is so much more interesting and exciting actions in this book.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review. Beautiful story of nicole who goes back home to yuletide Creek for Christmas and finds what she's been missing .

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Past hurts have made Christmas a ba humbug time of year. But a call from her mom and her moms helper will change her outlook on the season and bring her an unexpected HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra Sissom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, love and Christmas.

It was a great second book in the Trilogy. I loved the mystery, the family reconnecting, the new relationships and the mystery involving the town. Starting on book 3 tonight!

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet story!

I love Christmas stories! Loved both of the two in this series! I have to admit I was hoping for Alan to have something mean\life changing happen to him! Can't wait for the next book!

[Beth Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery

I really liked that it wasn't just a romance novel, but a mystery ,as well. I love a good mystery, especially in regards to old houses. Not being a big Christmas buff, I couldn't put it down towards the end. Enjoy.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Nicole came to help her mom with her antique store. She meet Jake and started to like him then info surfaced that upset her and you need to read the story to see how things w pi to out

[Kathleen Abeel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Another well written Christmas Story. This author does a wonderful job writing all these different stories. I will definitely be looking for more stories from this author.